Holder for hats, coats, or the like.



No. 788,731. PATENTBD MAY 2, 1905. G. SGHWINN. HOLDER FOR HATS, COATS, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

an uznl'm I No. 788,731- PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

G. SCHWINN. HOLDER FOR HATS, COATS, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1904. v

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PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

G. SUHWINN.

HOLDER FOR HATS, COATS, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Wil'mmom UNITED STATES Patented May 2, 1905.

GEORGE SCHVVINN, ()F HURON, CALIFORNIA.

HOLDER FOR HATS, COATS, OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,731, dated May 2, 1905.

Application filed April 27,1904. Serial No. 205,171.

To all whom zit may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE SoHwINN, a citizen of the United States, residing atHuron, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Holders for Hats, Coats, 01' the Like, of which the following isa specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a peculiar form of holder to receive hats, coats, or similar articles of wearing-apparel and which is adapted to be locked closed after the article which is to be retained therein is disposed within the holder. As is commonly known, it is usual in hotels, clubs, or lodge-rooms to check coats and hats, and for this purpose special persons are employed. It is therefore desirable to provide a holder within which a person may dispose his hat or coat as he entors a building or the like and to which he only may have access to remove the same, and such holder is comprised in my invention.

My invention relates, further, to a holder of the type which is designed to be locked by ordinary lock mechanism, and special means have been devised for preventing removal of the key from the holder save by the person who deposits his hat or coat or whatever the article-of apparel may be Within the holder. The key-locking mechanism prevents likelihood of loss of the key either intentionally or unintentionally on the part of the user, and thus no small amount of expense and annoyance is obviated.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for eifecti-ng the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

l/Vhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially Fig. 5 is a broken perspective view showing more clearly the operative connections between the movable hook and the key, Whereby the latter is normally locked from displacement. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view bringing out more clearly the means for operating the lock-bar. Fig. 7 is a view embodying a modified construction of the supporting-hook and cam-spring connections.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

A holder constructed in accordance with my invention consists of a casing composed of a stationary guard-section 1 and a movable guard-section 2, concentric of the section 1. The stationary guard-section is disposed so as to admit of revolution of the movable guardsection about the same, and the said stationary section 1 is primarily designed to receive the hat or article of clothing, whatever it may be. The size of the holder may be varied, same being smaller when designed to receive a hat only and proportionately larger when the same is to be used to receive a coat and hat. The holder is supported by means of brackets 3, which are adapted to be secured at their inner ends to a wall or suitable support, the outer ends of the brackets being secured to attaching members 4, which are projected from the upper and lower portions of the stationary section 1 of the device. The stationary section 1 is provided with circular journal-flanges 5, which latter are disposed adjacent the members 4 aforesaid, said members being located centrally of, the flanges 5. The ends of the members 4: are threaded, and the outer ends of the brackets 3 are provided with cap-plates 6, which latter have threaded openings therein which receive the threaded ends of the members 4 of the stationary section 1, so as to secure the said section 1 to the brackets 3 aforesaid.

are secured to the wall or support, and it is therefore impossible to remove the section 1 unless the brackets have been detached from the support. The movable section 2 is adapted to revolve upon the flanges 5 and is pro- The brackets 3 are secured to the section 1 before the said brackets vided at its upper and lower ends with journal-openings 5, receiving said flanges 5. The sections 1 and 2 when viewed in cross-section are of somewhat semicircular form, as will be readily noted from the drawings, and the meeting portions of the sections are provided with suitable flanges 8, which flanges may cooperate to limit the opening-and-closingmovement of the section 2. The lower portion of the section 1 of the holder is projected outwardly, as shown at 9, so as to form a receptacle-body within which may be disposed any articles which a person might desire to be rid of temporarily. The movable section 2,which is revolubly mounted as regards the section 1, is actuated in the practical use'of the invention by grasping the key which is normally held in the lock carried by the said movable section. In other words, the key affords a convenient handle means whereby the movable section 2 may be manipulated so as to either close or open the same.

The lock 10, which is carried by the movable section 2, is disposed about centrally of this section and may be of any type found suitable for the purposes of the invention. The movable section is provided about centrally thereof with a key-opening 11, leading from the outer side of the same, through which the key, which is designated 12, is introduced for cooperation with the lock mechanism. Within the stationary section 1 and secured thereto is mounted a supporting member or hook 13, said hook being pivoted at its inner end to the section 1, adjacent the upper rear portion thereof, as shown at 13". From the foregoing it will be noted that the supporting-hook 13 is movably mounted, and this hook is designed to cooperate with special mechanism to lock the key within the key-opening 11 of the section 2 when the holder is open and when it does not contain any article of clothing suspended from the said hook 13 The means for locking the key 12 from removal from the holder when the latter is open consists, essentially, of a lock member 1 1, which is slidably mounted upon the inner side of the section 2 of the holder and which is adapted to positively engage the key to prevent displacement thereof. The lock member 14: is forked or bifurcated at its lower end,.as shown at 15, and the bifurcated portions 15 engage in a groove or like portion provided on the key 12. The lock member 14 is normally held in engagement with the key by means of a coil-spring 16, which is disposed adjacent the casing of the lock 10. The movable section of the holder thus carries the lock means which positively prevents displacement of the key under the conditions which have been before described, and means are provided upon the stationary section of the holder for tripping or actuating the lock means carried by the movable section, so that when the said movable section is closed the a lock member 14, carried thereby, will be disengaged from the key, so as to admit of removal of the key by the one using the holder.

The means mentioned above and which is carried by the stationary section 1 of the holder is initially actuated by movement of the supporting-hook 13 as an article of clothing, such as a hat or coat, is disposed upon this supporting-hook 13. Specifically describing the mechanism carried by the stationary section and which cooperates with the member 1 1, the same consists of a spring-cam 17, which is located adjacent the upper journal-flange 5 of the sectionl, being movable toward and from the inner side of the flange. The camspring 17 consists of a spring-bar curved to present a cam engaging surface, and this member constitutes an engaging member directly cooperating with the lock member let to actuate the said lock member to disengage same from the key 12. The cam-spring or engaging member 17 is secured at one end to the upper end of the section 1 .at a point proximate the flange 5 thereof, as shown at 18, and the normal tendency of this springplate causes the same to move away from the flange 5, as shown in dotted lines. The camspring 17 is adapted to be actuated toward the flange 5 by a pivoted lever 20, connected by a link 20 with a short movable post 17, carried by spring 17 and mounted upon the adjacent upper end of the section 1, which lever is connected with the movable hook 13 by means of a connecting member 21. The downward pivotal movement of the hook 13 is limited by a stop-bracket 22, projected inwardly from the inner side of the section 1, this stop-bracket engaging the under side of the hook at a point between its ends. The stop-bracket 22 is provided with spaced guide members 22*, which after a manner cooperate with the hook 13 to direct the same in its movement. The normal position of the hook 13 is some distance above the stop-bracket 22, being held in such position by means of a spring 23, which bears against the under side of the said hook 13. WVhen the hat or coat is suspended from the hook 13, the same is of course weighted down sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 23, and this movement actuates the connection 21 and the lever 20, so as to move the engaging mem ber or spring-cam 17 toward the flange 5. WV hen the spring-cam 17 is thus actuated, the same is disposed in the path of movement of an engaging extension 24:, carried by the upper end of the lock member 14:, which cooperates with the key 12. The engaging extension 24 of the lock member 1 1 is adapted to ride upon the cam-spring 17 in such a manner as to impart an upward movement to the lock member 14 to thereby cause same to disengage from the key 12. The extension 24, however, only cooperates with the spring-cam LOO 17 as the movable section 2 of the holder is being closed and only after a hat or coat has been disposed upon the supporting-hook 13. Thus it will be seen that the key 12, which is normally locked in the key-opening 11 of the section 2, cannot be removed until an article has been suspended from the hook 13 to move the same downwardly to thereby cause the spring-cam 17 to move into the path of movement of the engaging extension 24, above mentioned.

It will be understood that the operative connections and mountings of the several parts of the device may be modified somewhat, though embodying the same operative principles as those pointed out hereinbefore. For instance, in the modification in Fig. 7 the hook 13 is pivoted to the bracket at a point between the ends of the said hook, and the coil-spring 25, bearing against the inner end of the hook 13, normally holds the same somewhat above the position assumed thereby when the coat or hat is suspended therefrom. In the modified construction the cam-spring 17 is also used. However, the normal tendency of this spring member is to remain in a position adjacent the upper flange 5 as contradistinguished from its tendency in the construction embodied in the preferred form of the invention. The coil spring 25, which bears against the inner end of the pivoted hook 13, serves to hold the spring-cam 17 away from the flange 5 as its normal position when the holder is not being used. As soon as an article is suspended from the hook 13 in the modified construction the same moves downwardly against the tension of the spring 25, cooperating therewith, and such movement permits the cam -spring 17 to .move against the flange 5 by its own spring action into a position in which it will cooperate with the engaging extension 24 of the lock member 14.

Describing more clearly the exact operation of my invention, the movable section 2 of the holder remains open when the latter is not in use. A person desiring to use the holder first places his hat or coat upon the hook 13, and the weight of the article causes the hook to move downwardly. In the preferred form of the invention this downward movement of the hook 13 causes the lever 20 to force the cam-spring 17 into the path of movement of the extension 24 of the key-locking member 14. The hat or coat having been suspended from the hook 13, the operator of therein, the user of the same removes the key, placing same in his pocket or otherwise disposing of it until he desires to open the holder. In opening the holder to remove the article contained therein the key is used to operate the lock mechanism in the ordinary manner and forms a handle by means of which the revolving section 2 may be thrown open. The holder having been unlocked by the key, the opening movement of the section 2 causes the engaging extension 24 to move away from the cam-spring 17, and thus the lock member 14 engages the key, so that the user cannot remove the same after the holder is open, though access is'had for removal of the coat or hat.

The holders when constructed as above described may be used in the home or in public places, and the number of these holders would, of course, vary with the conditions of service. For instance, when a number of holders are utilized in the same place saidholders would be provided with numbers of suitable appearance preferably disposed upon the outer movable section 2, and the key which is designed to be used with a particular hold er would have a number thereon corresponding to that upon the holder for obvious purposes. Different lock mechanisms would, of course, be utilized for the different holders. The exact form of the sections of the holder is non-essential, though the same may be of any ornamental form found preferable. Said sections may be made of expanded or open-work metal of any type, and the holder may be suitably finished in accordance with the desires of the manufacturer.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing composed of sections movable relative to one another, look mechanism carried by one of-said sections and including a key-locking device for said mechanism, and means carried by the other section for actuating the key-locking device when said sections assume predetermined positions relative to each other.

2. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing comprising a relatively stationary section, a movable section, a supporting hook or member mounted in the stationary section, lock mechanism carried by the movable section, a lock member mounted upon the movable section for cooperation with a key or the like, and means operable by the supporting-hook for actuating the lock member aforesaid.

3. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing comprising a relatively stationary section, a movable section, lock mechanism for locking said sections closed, a key-locking member mounted upon one of the sections and adapted to engage a key or the like, a movable supporting-hook carried by the other of said sections and means operably connected with the hook for actuating the key-locking member.

4. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing comprising concentric stationary and movable sections, lock mechanism for said sections, a key-locking device carried by one of the sections, a supporting-hook mounted in the other section, means including a cam for actuating the key-locking device, and connecting means between the cam and supporting-hook for throwing said cam into and out of'the path of movement of the key-locking device.

5. In a holder for-hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing composed of a relatively stationary section, a movable section, a lock member carried by the movable section and adapted to engage a key, a cam-actuating device cooperating with the lock member aforesaid, and a movable supporting-hook operably connected with the cam-actuating device.

6. In a holder for bats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing composed of arelatively stationary section, a movable section, lock mechanism carried by the movable section, a lock member mounted upon said movable section and adapted to engage a key, a

cam-spring cooperating with said lock member, and a movable-hook operably connected with the cam-spring.

7. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of a casing composedot' a relatively stationary section, a movable section, lock mechanism carried by the movable section, a lock member slidably mounted upon the movable section for cooperation with a key, a cam-spring mounted upon the stationary section for cooperation with the lock member aforesaid, and a supporting-hook carried by the section and operably connected with the cam-spring. I

8. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination of acasingcomposed of arelatively stationary section, a movable section, a lock member adapted to engage a key movably mounted upon the movable section,spring means for holding the lock member in an ascertained position, a cam-spring carried by the stationary section and adapted to engage the key-locking member, and amovable supporting-hook carried by the stationary sec tion and operably connected with the cam- 5 spring.

9. In a holder for hats, coats, or the like,

the combination of a casing composed ofa relatively stationary section, a movable section, a lock member adapted to engage a key movably mounted upon the movable section,spring means for holding the lock member inan as certained position, a cam-spring carried 'by the stationary section and adapted to engage the lock member, a movable supporting-hook carried by the stationary section and operably connected with the cam-spring, and means for ad usting the position of the cam-spring to throw same into and out of the path of movement of thelock member.

10. In a holder for hats, coats, orthe-like, the combination ofa casing composed of-a-relatively stationary section and a concentric movable section, a lock member slidably mounted upon the movable section andadapted to engage a key, spring means normally holding the lock-member in an ascertained position, a cam-spring movably mounted upon the stationarysection, engaging means between the cam-spring and thelockmember aforesaid, a movable supporting-hook pivoted to the stationary section, and connecting means between the supporting hook and the camspring.

11. In aholder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination ofa casing composed of a relatively stationary section, a concentric movable section adapted to closeagainst thestationary section, a supporting-hook in the stationary section, key-locking means carried by the movable section, means carried by the stationary section for actuating the key-locking means, and operative connections between the key-actuating means of the stationary section and the supporting-hook.

12. Ina holder for hats, coats, or the like, the combination'of a casing composed of sections movable relative to one another, lock mechanism carried by one of said'sections and GEORGE SCHWVINN.

W'itnesses:

J OSEPH- ELwooD RICHMOND, RICHARD MILLS. 

